Welded joint



- C. F. GAILOR. wELnEn mm1. APPLICATION FlLED-JULYIS. 19'21.

Painted May 3o, 1922.

Y i E A ATTORNEY- UNITED STATEES rarenr ortica CHESTER GAILOR, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

WELDED J' CINT.y

Specification of Letters Patent., Patented May 30, 1922.

,Application filed July 16, 1921. Serial No. 485,251.

Joints, of which the following is a speci-` lication.

My present invention relates to welded joints, particularly "for railroad rails, and has for its object to provide a joint which will combine great strength with a certain degree of 'flexibility which has been found a very desirable and practically necessary teature it `the best results are to be obtained in actual service. My invention alsohas for its object to place the lish plates in such positions that 'they are readily accessible and will therefore give an opportunity for the best workmanship in welding. Another object of my invention is to weld the plates in a particular novel sequence or manner which will enhance the good qualities oi the finished connection.

Two typical and satisfactory embodiments of my invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will then be pointed out in the appended claims.

While the invention is illustrated in its application to joints for railroad rails, it will be evident that other structural members may be connected in a corresponding manner.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a welded rail joint made according to my invention; Figure 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figures and 4 are vertical sections on lines 3-3 and 4 4 respectively of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a side elevation, and Figure 6 is a cross: section on line 6-6 ot Figure 5, illustrating` another form of my invention. l

ln the construction shown in Figures 1 to 4, the webs ofthe two rail ends to be Ljoined are designated by 2() and 20 respectively, their heads as 21 and 21', and their bases as 22 and 22. The rail 20, 21, 22 is on the-socalled receiving side ot the joint, that is to say, the side toward which the tratiic moves as indicated by thefarrow.

The splicing plates or iish plates which are welded to the rail ends are of novel 4formation and arrangement Each of these plates comprising a central portion 23o proper height to tit between the bases and the heads of the rails, and preferably flat or plane as shown. The end portions 24 and 25 Vof the plates `are adapted to lit against the webs of the rails, on opposite sides; these end por.

tions are of considerably smaller height or width than the central portions 23, so that the upper and lower edges of said end portions will be at a distance from thev rail heads and rail bases respectively. The end portions 24, 25 of the same plate are in .the

same plane, with each other, but not with the corresponding central portion 23, and the connection between said central portion and the end portions is effected by laterally bent intermediate portions 26, 27 respectively. While each of the endv portions 24, 25 is symmetrical to the horizontal plane in which the section 2 2 is taken, they are not alike, but one or them, 24, is higher or wider than the other, 25,their length,however, being the same as indicated at X.. VThe upper edge of the central portion 23 is shorter than its lower edge, both ot them, however, being preferably symmetrical relatively to the distance of their ends from the extremities of the plate, as is indicated by the equality of the two horizontal distances indicated at Y in Figure 1 (bearing in mind that, as stated above, the lengths X of the two end portions 24. 25 are equal).

The two plates which are located on op posite sides of the rail webs are used inv reversed positions, (Figures 1 and 4) that is to say, the rail web 20 is engaged by the wide end portion 24 of one plate and by the narrow end portion 25 of the other plate, while the rail web. 20, is engaged on opposite sides by the narrow end portion 25 of the First-named plate and the wide end portion 24 of the second named plate. The purpose ot this arrangement is to avoid making wel-ds on opposite sides of the webs in the same location, that is, at `the same level, since in that case the strength of the rail sections would be reduced.

rlhe car traiiic being, generally, of such a nature as to be practically always in the same direction on the'saine track, it is highly desirable and almost necessary to pro-Vide more plate bearing surface on the receiving side of the joint. For this purpose, the tishplates are shifted toward said receivino' side, so that the medium vertical plane W of the plates will not coincide with the planey of the rail ends, but will be on the receiving side of such ends, as indicated by the distance Z in Figures l and 2. For instance, in practice, with 7 inch T rails so commonly used, the short upper edge of the central portion 23 might be about 12 inches, of which 4 inches f on the rail shown at the left hand' in Figure rail. lBy havingl the lower edge of the central portion 23, where it is in contact with each rail, longer than that part of the upper edge of the plate which is in contact with the same rail, thev joint structure is giveny a better support, and the stresses are distributed` over a larger area.

The shape of the plate will be varied to suit the various rail shapes, but generally speaking, the support at the rail ends must be such as to give adequate support and strength to the structure. F or convenience in manufacturing and welding, the end portions 24 and 25 of the plates are preferably of rectangularshape, so as to have the weld lines on the webs of the rails, in readily accessible locations, thereby facilitating welding work of high quality.

Figure 3 shows that the fish plates are fitted to the rails 1n such a manner as to produce a box girder Structure having a .maximum strength at the joint, and also that `the welds connecting` the plates with the bases and heads of the rails are in readily accessible location., thus again giving a better opportunity for good workmanship in welding. I The importance of careful and ehcient welding in structures of this character will be obvious. y

It is further important that the plates be short enough to avoid producing a long rigid structure which would interfere with the necessary wave motion in the tracks. Still, the Vstructure should have ample strength to withstand the most severe service. `The general shape of the plates, and particularly the way they are fitted and welded to the rails is a very important feature of my invention, and particularly when the welding is performed in the particular novel mannerfand order set forth below, it will be found that the structure will produce many results, asserted to be present in many other rail joints, but found lacking therein, which are of the greatest advantage in a practical solution of the problems involved. As indicated in the drawings, the welds proper 28 are not continued along the entire ledge orjoutline of the plate, butonly along its horizontal upper and lower edges, and along the horizontal edges of the end portions 24, 25, so that the curved or laterally bent connecting portions 26. 27 of the plate-s remainunwelded at their edges, thereby givthe structure the correct and highly sary in welded joints in' order to obtain theV best practical results in actual service.

The preferred way of welding the structure shown, in order to secure the best distribution of stresses and other advantages as explained below, is as follows: Starting at the point l, where the upper edge of the central plate portion v23 is in contact with the end of the rail head 21', the welding would proceed along` said upper edge, and said rail head to the end of said edge at 2. -This would be done either simultaneously or successively with both fish plates. Then the lower edges of the central portions 23 of both plates would be welded either simultaneously or successively to the base 22 of the same rail, beginning at the rail end 4 and yproceeding away from the said end, to`

the end 5 of the said lower edge. The next weld would be made on the same rail, along the end portion 25 of one plate,and the end portion 24 ofthe other plate, to join them either'simultaneously or successively, to the web 2O of the same rail, and in this case also', the welding operation would preferably proceed in a direction away from the rail ends, that is to say, it would start at the junction 7 of said end portion 25 with the connecting portion 27, and be continued until the free end of the end portion 25 is reached, as at 8. The plates would thereupon be welded to the other rail by first welding the remaining portion of the upper edges of the plates to the rail head 2l', beginning at the rail end l and proceeding to the end 3 of said edge. Then the remaining' portions of the lower edges of thel plates would be welded to the base 22', beginning at the rail end 4 and proceeding to the end 6 of the central portion 23, and finally the end portionsy 24 and 25 of the two plates would be welded to the web 20 of the rail, preferably beginning at the end 9 nearest to the ends of the rails, and proceeding in a direction away froml the rail ends, to the free end of said portions, 24 and 25. I desire it to be understood, however, that the lish plates might be welded to the rail bases first, and then to the rail heads and to the webs. l

This particular method of welding equalizes the vertical actions caused by the welding operation, and also produces a powerful longitudinal action to hold the abutting rail ends in compression. Another advantage results from the fact that the plates and rails are welded together while they are expanded in like or proportional amounts. The plates might be heated before applying them to the rails, and such preheating would benelitthejoint structure, but is by no means necessary, as with reasonable care the welding .done in the manner specified above will produce the desired results. As the strucing a strong tightening effect in the proper direction to withstand the service and climatic stresses so dangerous to such joint structures.

The end portions 2li and 25 ot the plates are not necessarily rectangular, all that is required being that they shall suitably iit the sides of the rail webs and also easily admit of the welding, so long as the curved or bent connecting portions 26, 27 are able to function properly.

The plates should be so formed as to insure contact of the end portions`24t, 25 with the webs of the rails before the main or central portion 28 has become lodged in place iirmly by drawing up the bolts 29 (Figures l and 2). l thus avoid the necessity or' using additional bolts or fasteners in the other portions oi' the plates. The bolts 29 need not forni a permanent part of the joint, but may be removed after the welding operation.

Owing to the flexibility ot the unwelded plate portions 26, 27, no failures will occur through the welds along the upper or the lower edges of the plates, or just outside the ends of the plates, at the junction of the bare rail portions with the portions rein- 'torced by the plates. Such failures. are very liable to occur in prior structures in which the joint structure is of excessive rigidity.

Another embodiment of my invention, which has the same advantage oi' great strength with a proper amount of iiexibility, is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Here the central portions 23 of the fish plates extend 1from the rail heads to they rail bases, and bridge the joint between the ends ofthe rails. The ends of the fish plates are 'forked so as to iorm narrow portions indicated at 24 and 25, thereby obtaining the desired flexibility, particularly in a vertical direction. The welds 28 in this case may be exclusively in horizontal lines, along the upper and the lower edges'oi1 the plates, in their AFull length.v to connect them with the heads and bases of the two rails. Figure 5 shows the-fish plate located symmetrically with reference to the rail ends, which is the arrangement to be usedl when trafiic is in both directions on the same track. It will be un` dei-stood that where tratiic is always vin one direction only, an lunsymmetrical arrangement, as explained with reference to Figures l and 2, would be adopted for the fish plate ot Figure 5. Similarly, if the construction shown in Figures l and 2 were to be used on a line having a single track (traiiic in both directions on the same rails), the lish plates shown in said Figures l and 2 would preferablyr be used in a position symmetrical with reference to the rail ends.

In either of its embodiments, my invention provides a very good electrical connection between the rails, so as to dispense with wires, or other circuit completing devices at the 'oints arious modifications may be made without departing from the nature of my invention as Set forth in the appended claims.

lf claim 1..A structure comprising two aligning' members and a plate bridging the joint between them, and having a relatively wide central portion welded to bothk members,

relatively narrow end portions welded individually to the different members, and unwelded connecting portions between said central portion and the said end portions.

2. A structure comprising two aligning members and a plate bridging the joint between them and having central and end portions welded to said members and unwelded connecting portions between such central and end portionsg said connecting` portions being bent laterally.

A3. A structure comprising two aligning members and a plate bridging the joint between them and having a welded central portion, welded end portions lying in the same plane with each other but laterally offset from the plane of the central portion, and unwelded connecting portions between said central portion and said end portions.

4. A structure comprising two aligning members and a plate bridging` the joint between them and having a relatively wide central portion welded to both members. relatively narrow end portions welded individually to different members, said end portions being located in a plane diii'erent from that of the central portion, and unwelded laterally-bent connecting portions between said central portion and said end portions.

5. A structure comprising two aligning members, and welded plates located on cpposite sides of said membersk and bridging the joint between them, each plate having endvportions and a central portion located in different planes, the central portions of the two plates being farther apart than neighboring end portions of different plates.

6. A structure comprising two aligning members, and plates welded thereto located .y

sides oi said members and bridging the joint between them, `each plate having end portions and a central portion located iny different planes and welded to said members,

and laterally-bent unwelded connecting porsides of said members, each plate having a,

relatively wide central portion welded to both ot said members, and relatively narrow end portions welded individually to different vmembers, the distance between the central portions of the two plates differing from the distance between neighboring end portions or different plates.

9. A structure comprising two aligning members, and welded plates located on opposite sides of said members and bridging the joint between them, each plate having end portions and -a central portion located in different planes, the distance between the central portions or' the two plates differing from the distance between neighboring` end portions of' diderent plates.

l0. A structure comprising two aligning members, and plates welded thereto located on opposite sides of said members yand bridging the joint between them, each plate having end portions and a central portion located in different planes and laterally-bent connecting portions between said central portion and said end portions, the distance between the central portions oi the two plates differing from thek distance between neighboring end portions of different plates.

ll. A structure comprising two aligning members, and plates located on opposite sides of said members and bridging the joint betweenthem, each plate having end portions and a central portion located in diiferent planes and welded to said members, and laterally-bent unwelded connecting portions between said central portion and said end portions, the distance between the central portions of the two plates differing from the distance between neighboring end portions of different plates.

l2. A structure comprising two aligning members, and plates located. on opposite sides of said members and bridging` the joint between them, each plate comprising a central portion and end portions welded to said members, those end portions which are adjacent to each other on opposite sides of said members, being of different width and having their weld lines ont of registry.

13. A structure comprising two aligning members, and plates located on opposite sides of said members and bridging the joint between them, each plate comprising a cen members, the two end portions of thesame plate being of different width, and the two plates having their ends in reversed rela,-

tion, so that the narrower end portion ofl one plate will be adjacent to the wider end portion 01.' the other plate.

l5. A structure comprising two aligning rails, and plates located on opposite-sides of said rails and having relatively wide central portions welded to the bases and vto the heads of said rails, and relatively narrow p end portions welded to `the webs ol' said rails.

' 1G. n.. structure comprising two aligningv rails, and plates located on opposite sides ol said rails and having relatively wide central portions welded to the bases and to the heads ot" said rails, and relativelyV narrow end portions welded to the webs of said rails, said central portions bridging the joint of the rails and being located unsymmetrically relatively to such joint, with the maj or portion ot each plate on the receiving side of such joint. f

l?. ri. structure comprising two aligning rails, and plates welded thereto on opposite sides ot the rails, said plates bridging the joint oit the rails and being located unsymmetrically relatively to such joint, with they major portion'oil each plate on the receiving side ot the joint. Vi8. fr structure comprising two aligning rails, and plates located on oppositey sides of said rails and having relatively wide central. portions with relatively short upper edges welded to the rail heads and with longer lower edges welded to the rail bases, and 1elativcly narrow end -portions welded to the webs of said rails. i

19. A connecting plate for wel-ded rail joints, having a relatively wide central por.-

tion located in a plane, and relatively narrow end portions located in a plane offset vfrom that oi. said central portion to such an extent that when the end portions engage the webs oli aligning rails on `one side, said central. portion will engage the heads and bases ot said rails on the same side that the ends engage the webs. j

20. A connecting plate for welded joints, having a vrelatively wide central portion and relatively narrow end portions, one of which is wider than the other.

21. A connecting plate for welded joints, having a relatively wide central portion and relatively narrow end portions located in a plane different from the plane of said central portion, and laterally bent connecting portions between said central portions and said end portions.

22. AA sh plate for rails comprising a relatively wide central portion having a relatively short upper edge for engaging the rail heads, and a longer lower edge for engaging` the rail bases, and relatively narrow end portions for engaging the rail webs.

23.Y A iish plate for rails comprising a relatively wide central portion having a relatively short upper edge 'for engaging the rail heads, and a longer lower edge 'for engaging the rail bases, and relatively narrow end portions for engaging the rail webs, one of said end portions being wider than the other.

24. The method of connecting aligning members, which consists in first welding a connecting plate to one of said members, the welding action being started at the end of such member, and proceeding away from such end, and then welding said connecting plate to the other member, such second welding action likewise beginning at the end of the member, and proceeding away from such end.

25. The method ot connecting aligning rails, which consists in welding a connecting plate first to one of said rails1 such first welding action starting at the end of one member, at the head of the rail, and proceeding away from such end, along said head, the welding action being then performed at the base of the same rail, beginning at the end of the rail and proceeding away from it, and such welding action being completed along the web of the same rail, beginning relatively near the rail end and proceeding in a direction away from such end, and thereupon welding the plate to the other rail by a corresponding series of operations.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 28 day of June` A. D. 1921.

CHESTER F. GAILOR. 

